Great Britain beaten to women's team pursuit gold by USA
Last Updated: 28/02/20 8:49am
Great Britain had to settle for silver in the women's team pursuit at the Track Cycling World Championships as the United States took gold in Berlin.
It was the only medal of the second day for Britain, but it will still go down as a success after Katy Marchant and Sophie Capewell did enough to secure a place in the women's individual sprint events at Tokyo 2020.
Four-time Olympic champion Laura Kenny had sat out Wednesday's qualifying round of the team pursuit, but rode in the first round having previously said she was not comfortable doing standing starts.
Neah Evans returned for the final alongside Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker and Ellie Dickinson but they could not match another dominant ride from the Americans, who won in a time of four minutes 11.235 seconds, almost two seconds faster than the Brits.
"Qualifying was really positive," Barker said. "It was definitely the highlight for us and the happiest I've felt about the team pursuit in a long time. It would have been nicer to go slightly faster. It hurts a little bit at the moment but it's helpful that it gives us something to push for."
Earlier, Britain ticked off a major goal of the week as Marchant and Capewell did enough to secure one place in the women's individual sprint events in Tokyo.
Marchant made the last 16 and Capewell the last 32 of the individual sprint after setting personal bests in qualifying, but those rides propelled them far enough up the rankings to book a ticket to Japan.
"It's a massive achievement in quite a high pressure environment," said Marchant, who won individual sprint bronze in Rio four years ago. "I don't think I've ever felt pressure like I have today on myself. As an individual performance I wanted to get a top eight so I'm a little bit disappointed but we've managed to do that so I can't be too disappointed."
In the men's keirin, Jack Carlin was left frustrated after being forced to settle for fourth place, while Jason Kenny missed out on the final and finished eighth overall.
There was also frustration for Matt Walls in the men's scratch race as he took Britain's third fourth place of the competition so far.
